Universalism is a religious belief system that says that at some point God will show grace and mercy to those in Hell by offering them a second chance to repent. This is what Universalism teaches and it’s false. It is appointed to man ONCE to die, THEN the judgment. There are no second chances in Hell. The second argument that is typified in heresy teachings is the common suggestion that God is no longer or will no longer judge men today, for he judged the world at the cross. Wrong again. In the book of Jude, verse 5-6, we are reminded by the words of the same writer of God’s judgment, “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though you ONCE KNEW THIS, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them who believed not. And the Angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the Judgment of the Great Day.” Also read Revelation 20:10.

My point is this, regardless what book, or movie presents itself as “truth” today, know that God does demand the sinner to repent, or face judgment sooner or later. The cross was in fact Christ dying for mankind, but it did not solve the matter of unrepentant sin. If the sinner does not repent and come to Christ and then eventually dies, that man or woman goes to a place called Hell. I don’t care what William P. Young (The Shack) says. Nor do I care that over 1,000 seeker sensitive pastors endorsed his movie. Nor do I care that TBN, CBN and a long list of popular Pentecostals and Charismatics have weighed in on their support. I care about one thing – scripture. If scripture rejects it, then whatever the message is is false. End of story.

The reason why I even chimed in on this chatter over The Shack is very simple, if Christians are that gullible to be taken in by a feel good, love fest film which promotes the idea of no Hell (and the movie does), or strongly asserts the idea which says that God does not judge people today (and it does), for Christians to buy into that tells me more about the spiritual state of the modern church today than ever before, and why we are nearing the time of the coming deception. So no, spare me your ignorance on why anyone should go see this movie as anything but a demonic attempt to indoctrinate the church masses into believing a lie, and recognize that if a person who is born again can be turned so easily by a modern attempt to seduce us with cinema-heresy such as The Shack, then you my friend have succumbed to the greatest seduction known to man, and you’ve stumbled for a lie.

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8

Not since the stunning election of Donald Trump, have we experienced such a surge of surprises within the church as we are when it comes to false teachings and its messengers. Particularly in the case of the teachings regarding Dominionism. Dominion Theology found its birth through the teachings of one R. J. Rushdoony in the mid 1960s. An advocate for Calvinist, Rushdoony was the originator of the belief that says nations, particularly the United States, should forsake the Constitution as its foundation for rule of law, and instead impose the law of Moses in its place. Rushdoony was strongly hostile to the concept of grace alone for salvation, nor was he in favor of Christianity operating outside the spectrum of the cross, instead, Rushdoony believed and taught that the only true method by which the church could influence society was in fact through the injection of Christian law, via the law of Moses, into the political structure of American Government, thereby giving the church full control over every area of influence to impose Christian beliefs and doctrine. Under Rushdoony’s particular theological beliefs, men would not have freewill to live any which way he desired, this included any beliefs which ran counter to strict Calvinist theology, nor would the church operate by the gifts of the Holy Spirit as the early church did in the book of Acts. Obviously this would cause significant issues with mainline Calvinist theology and Pentecostal beliefs, yet Rushdoony believed that the central doctrine which would govern men in America would be Theocracy and not Democracy.

There are many branches to Dominion Theology; Christian Reconstructionism, Kingdom Now Theology, New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), The Latter Rain Movement; Joel’s Army; The 7 Mountain Mandate; Third Wave Revivalism; are all rooted by one foundation – Dominion Theology. These teachings have one common theme, that the church will take dominion over the earth, over all Governments, over all aspects of society, and begin to wield its own version of heaven-on-earth Christianity. No greater area of concern as it relates to Dominion Theology is in the area of politics.

When Trump was introduced to the world as a possible, but unlikely candidate for the Presidency, many scoffed at the idea that said he even had a remote chance of becoming the next President of the United States of America. Yet there were a few men (and women) who were voicing a different tone about Trump, and surprisingly, they were coming from well known evangelical circles. Pat Robertson, Paula White, Kim Clement, Lance Wallnau, Jim Bakker, Rick Joyner, David Jeremiah, Dr. James Dobson, and many more Charismatic/Pentecostal and Calvinist leaders were quick to align themselves with Mr. Trump. But why? Why Trump and why now?

While I cannot say with full knowledge at why Trump was elected, I can suggest that based on everything to date that I have seen, heard and witnessed, there is something spiritual at work here, but to suggest that God is the author of it would be wrong on my part, more so, I believe this movement of Dominion Theology is by itself part of the greater plan by the enemy to prepare the world, as well as the church, to some degree, for what he is creating, his final kingdom.

Dominion Theology is error, scriptural error. It portrays something different than what Christ told us in scripture, for it portrays the hope of the church not in the cross and our savior, but instead, it portrays its hope in restoration of this earthly kingdom – now. This is completely against the word. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world…”(John 18:36).

Dominion Theology as well removes awareness of the Lords return. It denies scripture as it regards the end times, twisting it to instead reject end times preparedness, and instead, embraces a more peace centered, revivalist themed worldview. This is one of the reasons why we hear so much about a massive end time revival, or a great harvest, or a great awakening, it’s all part of a spiritual deception to reject the word of God in favor of a more relevant, universal religion which incorporates those of other faiths coming together under one banner – unity. The Apostle Paul said otherwise; “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1)

Let me even more clear so there is no confusion on what Dominion Theology really is when we strip away the facade and see it for what it truly is – Religious Globalism under the guise of the spirit of Antichrist. This religious establishment, the people behind Donald Trump, the visions, the dreams, the call for unity among other faiths, the bridge being built between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism are in fact being led by the spirit of Antichrist. The church in America, and it’s embracing of Nationalism, its worship of Patriotism at the altar of Dominionism, is itself idolatry, and one the church needs to repent of.

Our mandate is the same as when Christ ascended until He returns: The Great Commission (Mark 16:15) and disciple believers from all the nations (Matt. 28:19). We are NOT to overthrow the governments of the world, take over businesses, or desire Christian world domination by taking over everything. Our desire is to influence society with the gospel, not become part of it. We are to be light and salt (Matt. 5:13-15), working until the Lord comes (1 John 2:28). What we are seeing however is a movement which is causing a spell within the body of Christ, and those who are under that spell have become convinced that what they are doing will be better for the world as well as for the church, the problem is, they are following the spirit of this world, and he and he alone has a greater agenda, to bring them under rule, for his name is Satan, and his son shall be Antichrist.

I’ve only seen the Howard Stern Show maybe once in my lifetime, and once was enough to know that it was nothing but trash radio/T.V. Yet the thought came to me the other day about this particular person and the Lord, which was this; If Jesus had come today, in our time instead of 2,000 years ago and started his ministry, would he sit and talk to Howard Stern on his program?

Today I am confused and bothered by the lack of commitment the church has for the lost. It seems that the only way we can reach the lost is supporting others who actively engage the areas where the lost are, yet refusing to go themselves. In other words, we seem (speaking about the American church culture) to have become settled, even safe in our own world of our securely built sanctuary walled cities. Yet is that were the church should be? Or should the church be active in the streets of our world?

So this goes back to my original question, Would Jesus go on the Howard Stern Show if he was here today beginning his ministry? I believe he would. Some would dare scoff at such a notion, claiming that Jesus Christ, the son of God would never sit in the same building, much less the same room with such likes of Howard Stern, a man who made a career out of sexual perversion. Yet it’s exactly the qualities by which Jesus himself would seek to reach. For Christ did not come for the healthy, who needed no savior, he came for the sick. (Mark 2:17)

Would Jesus really do that though? Would he really sit and talk to Howard Stern? Absolutely. Because God loves Howard Stern as much as he loves you and I. The problem is, the church has made it nearly impossible to reach the sinner where the sinner is, because the church continues to refrain from reaching the world with the gospel because it’s too busy either playing church, or condemning the lost to begin with.

Yet that is the nature of Christ – loving others. Jesus in fact did do something in his day and time which we can directly relate to someone like Howard Stern, it was Publicans and a Samaritan woman. The rule of law set by the Jews concerning Publicans were strict – they (the Jews) hated Publicans because of their nature for taxes implemented by Rome. The Samaritan woman was part of the Samaritan sect, who were considered by Jews as dogs, worthless and reviled by every Jew alive during this period of time. For Jesus to actually sit and speak to this particular Samaritan woman was indeed shocking to his disciples, but equally enraged the Jewish leaders. Yet it proved that Christ came to save mankind, not condemn it.

If the church is going to reach the lost in this last period of time before the end comes, it must begin to unlearn the many hindrances it has built up over the many decades of religious intolerance to those whom it has selectively sought to refrain from connecting with, and begin to reach out to them in a genuine love which can only be demonstrated by telling them the reason why God loved them, why he died for them, and why he wants to have a relationship with them. Our message is not of condemnation, but of redemption. Our message is not one of intolerance for the stripper, the prostitute, the lesbian or the murderer or thief, it is one of love, by showing them the only solution to their sinful state – the cross. Yet too many times, we as believers, have demonstrated a resistance when desiring to reach the masses with the gospel. Yet the truth is, the lost are not in the church house, but in the clubs, the bars, the alleyways, the strip clubs and the inner cities. That is our mission field, be it the rice patties of Thailand, or the streets of Chicago, the gospel must be reached unto all nations as a witness, then shall the end come.

Until we stop doing church the way we’ve done it these past few decades, and begin to truly see the lost around us in every aspect of our lives, we will never reach them the way Jesus would have. They will continue on their blinded ways, enticed by the sin they so eagerly desire. But if we have the heart of the master, and see them as Christ sees them, then only can we reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is our mandate, and why Howard Stern matters, because his soul matters.

“Thus says the LORD: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them,” (Jeremiah 10:2)

How to be a Buddhist Christian.

There are attempts being made by some who have influence within the church to incorporate false beliefs such as Catholicism, Mormonism, even within the Charismatic camp, the word of faith movement is based on a false belief which says Jesus Christ had to be “born again” in hell. Which leads me to my opening sentence – “How to be a Buddhist Christian”. There are some who are now trying to incorporate Buddhism into mainstream Christianity and it’s becoming a major issue with those who see it for what it is – heresy, but even worse than that – demonic.

There is a subtly within false teaching that sometimes gets overlooked by many a faithful believer in Christ, this is usually due in part to either not faithfully testing out what is being taught against scripture, or the other due to accepting what’s being said at face value due to charismatic personality, or popularity. Either way, the outcome is always the same, people being deceived. Such is the case with breath prayers, which is apart of the contemplative prayer movement. So what is contemplative prayer?

Contemplative prayer defined:

Contemplative Prayer is a prayer of silence, an experience of God’s presence as the ground in which our being is rooted, the Source from whom our life emerges at every moment…. Contemplative Prayer is the opening of mind and heart – our whole being – to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words and emotions. We open our awareness to God whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than choosing – closer than consciousness itself.

Contemplative prayer, in its simplest form, is prayer in which you still your thoughts and emotions and focus on God Himself. This puts you in a better state to be aware of God’s presence, and it makes you better able to hear God’s voice correcting, guiding, and directing you…. The fundamental idea is simply to enjoy the companionship of God, stilling your own thoughts so you can listen should God choose to speak. For this reason, contemplative prayer is sometimes referred to as ‘the prayer of silence.

Recently Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback church, tweeted the following as it regards to ‘breath prayer’:

Why would Rick Warren, whose well known for his ecumenical stance to bridge both Catholicism and Islam into mainstream evangelical Christianity, why would he incorporate ‘breath prayers’ into his teachings? Because it’s all part of a greater deception to lure believers into mysticism, and worse, idolatry.

Living in China, I am surrounded by paganism. There is no part of China where one can go, visit, eat or shop that does not involve open paganism such as Buddhism. I have visited many a Buddhist temple since coming to China in early part of 2013, and I have become very familiar with its teachings, and one of its beliefs and/or behaviors is what is called ‘meditative centering’. This is a state where the Buddhist comes into the temple, sits in a 4 pattern position and begins to meditate and pray for open awareness, the idea is very simple, one gets into a level of deep consciousness where they become, eventually, aware of the spirit world, and ultimately become one, in mind, body and soul or spirit. Sound familiar? That’s what ‘breath prayers’ as well as contemplative prayers do, they get the believer to reach a higher level of consciousness, this, in their belief, allows them to commune with God. This is why it’s false, because it allows the mind to become open to the powers of the air (demons).

When Christians, even spirit filled Christians begin to dabble in mysticism and new age techniques, they are allowing the enemy full access to their spirit, soul and mind. This will always lead to deception and ultimately being deceived. Christian yoga, Contemplative prayer, Breath Prayers, these are all rooted in early paganism, such as Buddhism. So how does one become a Christian Buddhist and not know it? When they allow false teachings to invade their spirit to such a degree that they no longer realize, nor care they are truly being deceived. Such will always be the case when one turns from Christ to something else.

Luke 10:19 states, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” This scripture immediately came to mind last night when I contended against a strong demonic encounter.

For nearly a month now, Ruth and I have been traveling throughout the south eastern region of China where we live in YongChuan, a province of Chongqing which is the larger city. For close to a month now, we have traveled many highways by bus, walked dirt and muddy roads in mountain regions, trekked up hills and valleys to preach the gospel to the local churches. Not to mention the weekly bible studies I teach to many desiring to hear the gospel. As I have stated recently, I heard the Lord speak to my spirit to build the first church in Chongqing/YongChuang area, it would be the first evangelical church and so far God is meeting the need financially as we are continually raising funds to buy a building to make it our first church in this area. Yet, for the most part, the enemy has been silent – until now.

It was only a matter of time that Satan would begin to show his face against the work we’re doing here, and last night he made himself known in a more direct and forceful way. At the time of this writing, it is now 9am in China. Last night when Ruth and I went to bed, all seemed okay, I told my wife I would study a bit as she had already went to bed, and after spending some time reading the word, I went to my prayer room and began to pray, what a wonderful feeling to know one can touch the throne of God all because of the cross. So eventually, as I made my way to bed, I immediately fell asleep as Ruth was already sound asleep. That is where the spiritual battle began at first, in my dreams.

There is no question that for whatever reason, Satan and/or demons have access to our dreams, and it is my belief that there are times when a believer will contend with bad dreams as a direct result of a evil spirit entering into their room and waging a more deeper spiritual battle in the mind. Remember, Paul said, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) This not only includes the world around us, but also the spiritual world around us that we cannot see with the natural eye. It is this dimension that most Christians ignore simply because either they have come to ignore it, or they have altogether wrote it off as simply the human mind emptying out the previous day’s events – nothing could be further from the truth and here’s why. We are spirit beings, we are spirit, soul and body. It is this unique combination which allows us to not only walk in the natural, but also the spiritual realm.

The dreams I was having the night before were horrible, and grew worse with each tossing and turning, until eventually I awoke from my sleep and sat still for a moment. I immediately remembered the scripture of Luke 10:19 and began to bind the source of the bad dreams – Satan. That is when things began to take a new, darker, more spiritual encounter. For as I took authority over my dreams, I attempted to go back to sleep, when suddenly I heard a voice speak very quickly and very loudly, yet my wife did not hear it, it stated, “GET OUT…OF CHINA!” I immediately opened my eyes, my heart beginning to beat faster at the sound of the hateful voice (God never speaks in such a manner to his children, so I knew it was not of God because my spirit immediately knew what it was and whom it was of).

What came to my mind immediately, to which I do not fully understand even to this day, is that the spirit had a Chinese accent. I’ve encountered such before when I returned to China earlier this year, when, upon entering my hotel room I was met by a evil voice which spoke to me very clearly that “We do not want you here” and it was in Chinese. Now, I can only think that it is a territorial spirit which has been for centuries been given the legal right to occupy this area, so in my belief these demonic stronghold has been so use to working and deceiving the Chinese people with their pagan customs and beliefs through Buddhism, that it has simply naturally taken on that aspect of the society for its own wicked purpose. Yet when I questioned the voice this time when it spoke, I laid back down on my bed, when immediately I heard the same voice speak to me, this time however it chose to speak to me in my own national language, confirming exactly what my spirit already knew, it was a demonic spirit sent by Satan to hinder me, for as I attempted to ignore it, it said in a loud, audible voice – “Hey!” and it was most certainly using perfect english.

Immediately I sat up, my bible resting next to me on the chair next to my side of the bed, I recalled the words of Jesus to his disciples (Luke 10:19) and I began to take authority over the room and most importantly over that demon spirit, rebuking it in Jesus name! The spirit left and I fell quickly asleep, for the remainder of the night I slept with perfect peace and tranquility. That is the power of Christ given to us thru the power of the cross. Yet it reminded me yet once again that we who walk in Christ must understand that Satan is fighting those who are steadfast in proclaiming the gospel, and why we must be vigilant in our war with him, for souls are at stake, as the gospel must be preached unto all nations, then the end shall come.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12

What happens to a person when they breathe their last breath and instead of waking up in glory, to be rewarded for all the good they’ve done in the name of Christ, they find themselves staring at an eternal sea of flames, compounded by outer darkness in that place called hell? Sound impossible? On the outside it would appear so, but yet so many have crossed over from this life into the next believing they had the assurance of eternal hope, only to find out instead, and all too late, it was based on a lie.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 says “He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,” There comes a point in every person’s life where they must not only choose what is right and ultimately shun that which is wrong, but they must understand just what they believe as truth and make sure that “truth” they are listening to is based on the word. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;” If what you are believing in is not founded on the word, if it’s something not right, it is another gospel altogether, and if you do not test it soundly with the word of God, then not only are you at risk of believing a lie, you are at risk of losing your salvation, and even worse – walking your entire life believing such a lie.

Yet, even now, thousands upon thousands, possibly millions of well meaning people have ended up in hell, shocked beyond reason that they could be in such a place, believing they had the truth, but instead they had a lie. But how? How could someone even remotely declare themselves to be a believer, but find themselves lost in eternity, standing at the entrance to hell and ask, “Why am I here?”

Today there are tens of millions of people living a life by a gospel they believe has promised them eternity, and most, if not all, openly call themselves “Christians”. They go to church almost regularly. They sing in the choir, they give to missions, they feed the hungry and they see to it the naked are clothed, by every action they project the image of what a Christian is supposed to be. Yet they are as lost as the pagan. They are lost in their doctrine of works. Sadly, many in the modern church world falls under this category and yet they continue to walk on in their life as if nothing is wrong, that God himself has blessed them beyond measure, their blessing and prosperity in this life validating their theology. But they are dead inside.

Yet there are others still, the “religious”, who believe their acts of self righteous performed before the congregations constitutes them earning their entrance to heaven. They preach the name of Jesus, they lay hands on the sick, they openly declare how righteous they are and prove it by their wealth and earthly abundance as God’s blessing on their lives. Yet Jesus called these people something much darker than they would like to believe, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. (Matthew 23:27).

Sadly, there is yet another group, ones who have followed a form of religion for most, if not all of their lives that promised them eternal salvation, even mentioning the name of Jesus, but the focus was on works, on ritual, on another gospel. Their salvation was on something other than Christ and what he did on the cross, and millions are currently living this way, and millions more have died living this way – to their eternal doom.

A gospel message which never yields an outward or inward change, but says to the person they never have to change their behavior or way of life. Theology which produces sermons which never convicts the sinner, or even the Christian to live a life which is holy and blameless before the Lord, a gospel which removes the cross from the object of faith, and instead focuses on self, or on works or religion, are pathways to hell that many are traveling.

It’s hard to grasp with the human mind just what someone who has believed such a lie (or lies) and shakes their head in utter dismay when they realize that their hope, their assurance was all built upon a deception from the beginning, a deception which was conceived in hell by Satan himself to lure billions into eternity without Christ. This is why the Buddhist, the Hindu, the Catholic, the Mormon, the Jew and so many others, and even those who have claimed Christ, will find themselves standing at the gates of hell demanding to know why they are there. Is it possible? Is it a mistake? The truth is much more shocking – “On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:22-23)

Jesus tells us a day is coming when the books will be opened and every question will be answered at the great throne judgment, and those who have sadly asked, “Why am I here?” Will have their answer, but that answer will echo deep into their soul as they are led away for their final abode. Why are they there? They spoke Christ’s name, they did many good things in the name of Christ, and even religion, but they are there for one reason and one reason only, they did not believe.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” The fact remains, there is but one way to God, and that is through the son, Jesus Christ. But that way is not by works, nor is it by rituals or any other path, it is by one way alone – faith in what Christ did on the cross and accepting it all by faith. The eternal plight of many bound up in false religions, or a false gospel or false theology is all because its departure from the core message, which is the cross. If it doesn’t lead a man or woman to the cross, then it’s true design is for ruin – eternal ruin for all who will hear and who will follow.

Take heed of the warning the apostle Paul declared for all who would listen, lest they too find themselves standing at the gates of hell and ask, “Why am I here?” You are here because you believed the lie.

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.“ (Galatians 1:8)